Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion - Page 234

Dave2 · #**4661** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 5:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TransitJack

I saw a big giant T on Stadium station also, near the Costco entrance.

I saw that today, along with a giant <h1> Stadium Chinatown Station </h1> sign in HUGE type

Dave2 · #**4662** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 6:01 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zassk

The airport station is 1/4 mile walk from the terminal? That's around 400 meters... yikes. Imagine if the Canada Line ended 400m short of its actual terminus.
?

It's a 4 minute walk according to a report on KIRO, but yeah, YVR got the better deal.

Dave2 · #**4663** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 6:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by deasine

Anyways, in other transit updates (don't have photo this time sorry), TransLink installed new signs at Granville, Main Street, and Stadium Stns. Platforms are now numbered, with a route map of what stations are served by the trains departing from the platforms. The route map ones look quite temporary, but the platform numbering ones look great, albeit small.

They look very similar to those found on the London Underground at the point where you have to decide which passage to take. All those junkets to London have finally paid off : - )

trofirhen · #**4664** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 6:10 AM**

Are there plans for an easy connection from the Canada Line platforms to the Expo/Millenium platforms yet?

It seems so hokey having to do that walkabout at Waterfront station.

I thought this was something that was considered quite important.

Dave2 · #**4665** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 6:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WBC

Yup - speed is the king...As for Rees I have maybe seen one positive post in the last 100 on his site on any topic so there is no helping that.

Yet you see so many white tower academic studies that say speed doesn't matter. Oh, bs... at the end of the [work] day I do want to be "whisked home", and usually have no interest in browsing boutiques that I may see along the way. Speed does matter, at least to those of us that actually *use* transit on a daily basis.

red-paladin · #**4666** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 8:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trofirhen

Are there plans for an easy connection from the Canada Line platforms to the Expo/Millenium platforms yet?

It seems so hokey having to do that walkabout at Waterfront station.

I thought this was something that was considered quite important.

Again, a connection between the west exit of the expo platform, where it goes to Sinclair centre, to the Canada line hallway would make the most sense, but there is no evidence that Translink is planning to build it.

SpongeG · #**4667** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 9:28 AM**

i don't think they anticipate or expect many transfers

cabotp · #**4668** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 9:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave2

Yet you see so many white tower academic studies that say speed doesn't matter. Oh, bs... at the end of the [work] day I do want to be "whisked home", and usually have no interest in browsing boutiques that I may see along the way. Speed does matter, at least to those of us that actually *use* transit on a daily basis.

Exactly, I'm not looking to enjoy the scenery like I'm on a sunday afternoon drive. I want to get to where I'm going as fast as possible.

twoNeurons · #**4669** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 4:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabotp

Exactly, I'm not looking to enjoy the scenery like I'm on a sunday afternoon drive. I want to get to where I'm going as fast as possible.

I still enjoy the scenery on the SkyTrain.

officedweller · #**4670** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 9:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave2

I saw that today, along with a giant <h1> Stadium Chinatown Station </h1> sign in HUGE type

Saw one for Granville Station on the Seymour St. side too (haning under the Bay awning visible as you look north)

Metro-One · #**4671** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 9:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave2

Yet you see so many white tower academic studies that say speed doesn't matter. Oh, bs... at the end of the [work] day I do want to be "whisked home", and usually have no interest in browsing boutiques that I may see along the way. Speed does matter, at least to those of us that actually *use* transit on a daily basis.

Thank you! Not all of us are tourists wishing to take the trolly for a peep. Those who use transit day in and day out only care about 1 thing, getting to work or getting home as fast as possible.

the nice thing about sky-train is it is fast and you still get a nice view!

Could you imagine what it would have been like if the expo line was built to the LRT/tram standards the "rail for the valley" people envision the Broadway extension to be?

I am betting it would be half the speed, have half the current ridership, and we would not have those amazing views.

For transit to work properly you need a strong backbone, which skytrain is.

Going to university, the vast majority of those profs live essentially in a fantasy world. There are a few smart ones though, I have one prof at SFU who teaches urban design and planning, and he fully supports the Evergreen extension as skytrain, the broadway extension as skytrain, and even the gateway program, because he understands that a growing metro region needs strong, fast, reliable transit and a decent highway system (but he also supports the rapid bus on it and the use of tolls to control volume), and it is hilarious to hear him talk about the profs at UBC, who he says live in la la land, living in their million dollar + houses near UBC and how disconnected they are from true urban life.

SpongeG · #**4672** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 11:15 PM**

i think street cars can handle whats needed in vancouver

skytrain to connect the cities street cars within the cities

Metro-One · #**4673** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 11:24 PM**

That is exactly what I was saying, street cars are god for local transit travel, a block or two, max a few km of travel, but anything that is cross regional (one hub to another, one city to another, or any distance over 5km in general) should be a metro system such as skytrain and heavy rail such as WCE.

twoNeurons · #**4674** Posted **Dec 24, 2009, 11:35 PM**

One thing to consider... is that living in a condo on campus would have far fewer benefits if you live in East Vancouver and be at UBC in 20 minutes.

Any professors who paid the premium to live really close might feel a little cheated.

I'm not saying that IS the case, but parking at UBC 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵, taking the bus is slow, and driving there involves dealing with traffic.

That could be a major paradigm shift if you could walk out your condo on the M-Line and walk off at UBC.

All that said... I don't think we can afford a line to UBC yet and that it should be phased in. The Broadway Business District is a more important destination to server.

trofirhen · #**4675** Posted **Dec 25, 2009, 12:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metro-One

That is exactly what I was saying, street cars are god for local transit travel, a block or two, max a few km of travel, but anything that is cross regional (one hub to another, one city to another, or any distance over 5km in general) should be a metro system such as skytrain and heavy rail such as WCE.

Agreed, 100%. You got it, right on. Any other formula won't work properly.

NetMapel · #**4676** Posted **Dec 25, 2009, 12:22 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metro-One

That is exactly what I was saying, street cars are god for local transit travel, a block or two, max a few km of travel, but anything that is cross regional (one hub to another, one city to another, or any distance over 5km in general) should be a metro system such as skytrain and heavy rail such as WCE.

Yes indeed. Long distance travel needs to be fast and un-interupted. That's the only way people will take public transit for long-distance travel. Otherwise, people will just drive because it'll be significantly faster. People take the WCE, Canada Line and the old Skytrain line because they're fast enough that people are willing to forgo a little bit of time saved for the convenience of not worrying about parking and other headaches related to driving.

If they build a WCE for the south of Fraser region, I can guarantee you that it'll be a smash hit. Park and rides here are always parked to the max so imagine having a WCE instead.

SpongeG · #**4677** Posted **Dec 25, 2009, 1:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metro-One

That is exactly what I was saying, street cars are god for local transit travel, a block or two, max a few km of travel, but anything that is cross regional (one hub to another, one city to another, or any distance over 5km in general) should be a metro system such as skytrain and heavy rail such as WCE.

i think street cars could be used to get to UBC - finish m line to arbutus area

than have street cars that connect with UBC - one at arbutus one to oakridge and one to marine drive

trofirhen · #**4678** Posted **Dec 25, 2009, 2:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpongeG

i think street cars could be used to get to UBC - finish m line to arbutus area

than have street cars that connect with UBC - one at arbutus one to oakridge and one to marine drive

In this case I both agree with you, and disagree. First, I think the M Line has to go all the way to UBC.

Having said that, having an Arbutus transit central with streetcars going to Oakridge, Marine Drive, and maybe Kerrisdale would be good. Something that intersects 41st and West Boulevard could tie in nicely with a street car system going to Granville Island and /or downtown.

NetMapel · #**4679** Posted **Dec 25, 2009, 2:26 AM**

The Arbutus line needs to be preserved for some kind of long-distance heavy rail for the greater metro region. Also, I really don't see why people traveling to UBC needs to make an arbitrary connection from skytrain to street cars at Arbutus when they should ride skytrain all the way.

WBC · #**4680** Posted **Dec 25, 2009, 2:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by NetMapel

The Arbutus line needs to be preserved for some kind of long-distance heavy rail for the greater metro region. Also, I really don't see why people traveling to UBC needs to make an arbitrary connection from skytrain to street cars at Arbutus when they should ride skytrain all the way.

Train to Victoria when we build the bridge?